Day 9: Our Unchanging Father

Don’t be fooled, my dear friends.
 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father
who created all the lights in the heavens.
He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.  
(James 1:16-17, CEV)

Reflection

I like gifts. I like both giving them and receiving them. Today’s reading is entirely about the giver of every good and perfect gift. And who is this giver of marvelous gifts? According to James it’s the Father who created all the lights in the heavens (v. 17).

Imagine that! The Creator of the sun, the moon, and trillions of stars—this Creator of an ever-expanding universe—the heavenly Father of all—gives gifts to little insignificant creatures like you and me.

But our scripture reading for today doesn’t begin with words of assurance about the goodness of God. It begins with this warning. Don’t be fooled, my dear friends.

Trust me, better yet, trust the words of James when he writes, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens.” 

And why can we trust that our gracious Creator only does what is right and good? James answers with these words:

He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing (v. 17b).

In other words, there is no evil in God, no darkness, and no hidden motive. What God brings our way is for our good and His glory. Do you believe that?

We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. (James 1:14-15, CEV)Fortunately, God does not leave us condemned to death. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, a way has been opened for us to get back to the garden of God and the Tree of Life. It’s the way of the cross. The penalty for our disobedience has been paid by the spotless Lamb of God.

Let’s walk that way together with Him.

Response

Lord God, I want to stop blaming you for my difficulties, and for the suffering I see in the world. You are a good God—a God of mercy and compassion. Through Jesus, your Son, you demonstrated your love and mercy. Help me to overcome every temptation by the power of Jesus. Amen.

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